House of Assembly Fifty-Second Parliament, First Session (52-1) 52 1 Parliament of South Australia House of Assembly published Question Time Regional Centre of Culture REGIONAL CENTRE OF CULTURE Ms THOMPSON House of Assembly Reynell REGIONAL CENTRE OF CULTURE Ms THOMPSON (Reynell) (14:40): My question is to the Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts. Which town will be the state's 2012 regional centre of culture, and how will this major investment benefit the community in this town? The Hon. J.D. HILL House of Assembly Kaurna Minister for Health Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Minister for the Southern Suburbs Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts REGIONAL CENTRE OF CULTURE The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:40): I thank the member for Reynell for this question. The South Australian Regional Centre of Culture program, which was launched in 2006 by the state government, is a major biennial arts initiative based on the European Capital of Culture model. It aims to encourage new investment in cultural infrastructure for a chosen regional city or town in country South Australia and to increase access to the arts by that local community. As I have previously outlined to the house, the communities of Port Augusta and Murray Bridge have both seen significant enhancements in their cultural infrastructure and planning as a result of being the host towns of 2008 and 2010 respectively. In December 2009, I wrote to the state's regional councils inviting them to submit written expressions of interest to become the 2012 SA Regional Centre of Culture. Four councils submitted applications for towns within their areas. Today, I am delighted to announce that the Alexandrina Council has been successful in its bid to host the third SA Regional Centre of Culture in Goolwa in 2012. Of the $1.8 million which has been allocated by the state government to the program in 2012, $800,000 will be invested in the upgrading of cultural infrastructure in Goolwa. The projects that will be funded include the town's historic Centenary Hall, which will be upgraded to provide a versatile performing arts space with a moveable stage, retractable curtains, retractable tiered seating, the establishment of dressing-rooms and a green room, installation of high quality sound and lighting systems, provision of new storage areas and foyer space. Current exhibition space at Signal Point will be further developed through the installation of moveable walls, retractable curtain and audiovisual equipment, and the Old Police Station/South Coast Regional Arts Centre will be upgraded, with an improved air conditioning system, kitchen facilities and an outdoor courtyard function area. The Alexandrina Council will contribute over $700,000 to the capital upgrade. The Alexandrina Council is an outstanding council in many areas, but particularly when it comes to support of the arts in its community. One million dollars will be directed to a program of arts and cultural activities, to be developed by Country Arts SA in conjunction with the local community and the Alexandrina Council. I believe the Alexandrina Council is a worthy winner, having demonstrated through its recent initial upgrading of Signal Point and its development of an arts and cultural policy over the past few years, that it is committed to improving the lives of the local community through arts and cultural activities. I have no doubt that the council, working with Country Arts SA and our state's many great arts organisations, will deliver an exciting program of arts and cultural activities in 2012, which the community—not only in that community itself but right across the Fleurieu Peninsula, and more broadly—will fully embrace. I congratulate mayor Kym McHugh and his fellow councillors and staff, and look forward to visiting them later in the year to learn more about their exciting plans for 2012.